Field Trips

Wildrock invites free play in nature and experiential learning. Trips are customizable to meet the needs of schools, youth organizations, and senior living communities.

Early Childhood Program (Pre-k and K)

Wildrock warmly welcomes our youngest visitors for two-hour trips including free play on the playscape and educational games that teach about the seasons and plant and animal life at Wildrock. Children will splash in the stream, crawl through tunnels, hide in the bear cave, create in the art house, climb the log obstacle course, explore the giant nest, "cook" in the mud kitchen, and care for play animals in the Wildlife Rescue Station.

A special Four Season Discovery Program invites preschoolers to come for four discounted trips over the course of the school year.

Fees are $8 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free. There is a $150 minimum per trip.

first grade -twelFTh grade

Wildrock field trips invite play-based learning and student-directed inquiry. Themes correspond with the Virginia Standards of Learning and are adapted to meet the developmental needs of each age group.. Trips are two and half hours duration in the morning. Students may stay for a bag picnic lunch.

The following themed trips are available for each grade level:

Habitat Hunt. Led by an environmental educator, this trip invites students on a scavenger hunt to imagine "looking through animal eyes." Students will see stream, forest, and meadow ecosystems and learn about the stages of forest succession. This trip is available for first through eight graders and includes play time on the playscape and optional time for a picnic lunch in the pavilion.

Story Weavers. Led by an experienced drama teacher and expressive movement artist, this field trip includes an hour of free play on the playscape and an interactive performance on the Creation Stage teaching about woodland life through Native American storytelling. This trip is available for 1st through 5th graders.

Wilderness Trek. Led by a teacher experienced in outdoor survival skills and environmental education, this field trip includes a series of wilderness cooperative challenges that teach about animal adaptation and habitat, outdoor skills, and forest ecology. Social/emotional skills and team building are incorporated into the nature activities. This trips is available for third through 12th graders.

Land Artistry. Led by an outdoorsman and musician, this field trip includes an hour of free play on the playscape followed by a music making circle with natural materials and an expressive art activity to spark creativity and a sense of connection to the natural world. This trip is available for first graders through eighth graders.

Wildrock Stewards teaches conservation concepts (recycling, repurposing, and reducing) as they relate to protecting the health of the watershed, of which Wildrock streams are a part. Classrooms may choose an optional pre-class visit with a WIldrock naturalist and environmental educator. The Wildrock visit includes conservation challenge games on the playscape and a stream study. This trip is best suited for students in third grade and above.

Fees are $8 per student and chaperone. Teachers are free. There is a $150 minimum per trip.

Wildrock can accommodate up to two school buses of students. To learn more or schedule a trip, please click here to go to our contact page.

Contact us to receive a teacher Informational packet providing details.

Senior trips

Wildrock offers two field trip programs for senior citizen community groups.

Life Stories in Nature is a two-hour therapeutic program involving group reminiscence work. Memories of time spent in nature are shared and discussed with the help of the abundant natural beauty found at Wildrock. Evidence suggests that reminiscence therapy, with an emphasis on Life Stories in Nature, can lead to overall improvements in psychological well-being. This program is led by clinical social worker, Susan Van Hemert. Contact her at svonhemert@gmail.com for more information. Fees are $18 per person. A minimum fee of $180 is required.

Tray Play in Nature is a two hour therapeutic program using beautiful and artful natural materials on interactive trays to inspire self-expression, artistic freedom, and sensory enjoyment. The program includes an opportunity to explore the beauty of Wildrock and to enjoy a tactile, sensory experience with natural materials. Fees are $18 per person. A minimum fee of $180 is required. Contact Nicole Root for more information at nicole@trayplay.com.

Wildrock is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting nature play for health and happiness. We offer educational, recreational, and therapeutic programs to a broad and diverse audience.

Saturday and Wednesday (by reservation)

Additional week days (by reservation for schools and community groups.)